Bird Walk at Menar Lake, Rajasthan
- Menar
- 23 November, 2025
- Rahul Menaria
About Menar Lake
Menar Lake, located near the village of Menar in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, is a renowned wetland often referred to as the “Bird Village” of the state. This twin-lake system—comprising Brahma Sagar and Dhandh Talab—plays a crucial role in supporting a wide range of birdlife, particularly during the winter migration season. The lakes attract thousands of migratory waterfowl traveling along the Central Asian Flyway, including species such as bar-headed geese, northern shovelers, pintails, coots, and various species of storks and herons. The wetland’s diverse habitat of open water, mudflats, and surrounding agricultural fields provides ideal feeding and roosting conditions for both resident and migratory birds.
What makes Menar Lake truly special is the active involvement of the local community in its conservation. The villagers of Menar have long taken pride in protecting the birds, regulating activities that could harm the wetland, and promoting eco-tourism based on responsible birdwatching. Their collective efforts have transformed Menar into one of Rajasthan’s most inspiring examples of community-led conservation. Today, Menar Lake not only supports rich biodiversity but also offers educational and livelihood opportunities through bird tourism, making it a symbol of harmonious coexistence between people and nature in the arid landscapes of western India.
Bird Guide: Rahul Menaria
I am a resident of Menar village, which is famous as the bird village in Rajasthan.I developed an interest in birdwatching during graduation which connects me to the environment. I work as a birding guide seasonally.
Bird walk Location
Common birds of Menar Lake
Menar Lake in Rajasthan is teeming with avian diversity, hosting a remarkable range of waterbirds and waders that make it a paradise for bird enthusiasts. The lake frequently welcomes flocks of Flamingos, Bar-headed Geese, and Greylag Geese, while ducks such as the Mallard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, and Common Teal are commonly seen gliding across its calm waters. Among the waders and wetland specialists, species like the Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Spoonbill, and Grey-headed Swamphen add movement and color to the landscape. The presence of Painted Storks, Red-naped Ibises, and Black-headed Ibises highlights the lake’s role as a vital feeding ground for large waterbirds. Smaller yet striking species like the Kingfisher and Little Grebe can often be spotted along the edges, while Purple Herons and Woodpeckers inhabit the surrounding vegetation. Occasionally, the skies above Menar are graced by soaring Common Vultures, completing the picture of this thriving wetland ecosystem that supports both aquatic and terrestrial birdlife.
Bar-headed Geese
Great-crested Grebe
Painted Stork
Lesser Flamingo
Common Kingfisher
Black-winged Stilt
Eastern Cattle Egret
Common Woodshrike
Indian Pied Starling
Little Grebe
Jungle Babbler
Indian Spot-billed Duck
Grey-headed Swamphen
Green Sandpiper
Wire-tailed Swallow
Pheasant-tailed Jacana
Bronze-winged Jacana
Great Egret
Oriental Magpie Robin
Ashy Drongo
Summary of Walk
At Menar Lake, 18 participants joined guide Rahul Menaria for an insightful experience at this special bird village which got RAMSAR recognition. He introduced to this special bird village which looks after the migratory birds and welcome them each year and looks after their safety. The group recorded around 40 species of birds including Great-crested Grebe nesting, Cotton Pygymy Goose, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Common Crane, Egyptian Vulture, Painted Francolin and many other interesting birds.
Participants also learnt about identifying birds and their behavior. The walk offered a remarkable blend of conservation storytelling and live birding action. Menar’s unique culture of community-driven bird protection left a deep impact on all attendees.
Number of Participants
0
